Improvement in corn-planters



' G. W. BRQWN.

Corn-Planter. No. 42,178. .Patented Apr. 5,. 1864.

N. PETERS. PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGYON. D. (ly

' are supposed to have been removed.

Nrrnn Ta'rns GEORGE `W. BROWN, OF GALESBURG, ILLINOIS.

' IMPROVEMENT IN CORN-PLANTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 12,l7@, dated April 5, 1864.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. BROWN, of

Galesburg, in the county of Knox, in the State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Planting Seed; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereot'.

The accompanying drawings form a part ot this specification. The perspective view eX- hibits the general appearance ot' the machine and positions ot' the operators when it is used to plant in check-rows. The remaining figures exhibit the details of the machine.

Figure] represents a longitudinal vertical section of the entire machine on the line S S in Fig. 2 on a scale of about two inches to the foot. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the entire machine. In both these figures the seed-hoppers are represented as with their covers removed. I employ covers of the usual character. Fig. 3 is a cross-section, showing the construction of one ot' the adjustable connections, which are adjusted by changing the positions of the bolts, so as to widen and narrow the entiremachine, including the reciprocating seed-bar H H H2. Fig. et is a corresponding section, showing the same connection as it appears at'ter the machine has been adjusted for planting rows nearer together. Fig. 5 is a vertical section through the parts which lie in the base ofthe right seedhopper on a scale about half-size. This section is on the line S S in Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a plan view, representing some ot' the same parts. In this view the cap shown in Figs. 2 and 5 and the springs which serve as out-offs for the seed Fig. 7is a cross-section ofthe same, and also ofthe main portion of the seed-tube, on the plane indicated by the line S S in Fig.6. Fig. 8 is an attempt to represent anotherrelation or condition ofthe parts. It is a section of two small portions ot' the same parts on two different lines to show the mode in which they match together at certain periods. The portion of the fork H is on the line S2 S2 in Fig. G, and the portion of the seed-wheel I is on the line S3 S3 in the same ligure. Fig. 9 is a front view ofa portion, showing the controlling-slide WV in the position for holding the drill mechanism out of use. Fig. l0 is a corresponding view, showing the slide in the position for allowing the drill mechanism to be operated and adjusted. Fig. ll isa View ofthe under side ot'one of the seed-boxes.

It is a section on the line S S in Fig. l, looking from below upward.

Similarletters ot'reference indicatelike parts in all the figures.

Tints are used to aid in distinguishing parts, and do not indicate the materials intended, which may be wood and iron.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use myinvention, I will proceed to describe it by the aid of the drawings and ot' the letters of reference marked thereon.

A is the right side or the ri-ght half of the framing. A2 is the corresponding let't halt', and A A, Sto., areintermediate portions ot' thel framing which connect these parts. The peculiarity ofthe construction, in connection with the parts A A A2, will be described farther on. The forward portion of the framing,which carries the runners and seed-hoppers, is connected to the main portion of the framing by ajoint or axis in the manner described in my patent dated May 8, 1855. The bolt which forms the axis extends through the seed boxes, as indicated.

B B2 are the cylindrical drums or supporting-wheels. Ct()2 are the seed-tubes in the runners, and D/D2 are the secd-hoppers. E is a lever adapted to be operated by hand and to communicate the proper motion to the planting mechanism, when planting in check-rows. All these parts are similar in their general construction and operation to corresponding parts described in the patent before referred to.

The elevated Ways a are rmly supported in the tixed framing in the manner represented.

F is a movable seat, which is supported on a roller, j', and on which the driver may move himself forward and backward on tlhe ways a with great facility. The seat F is supported in its proper position by the side arms,f, and the rollerfz, which extends across under the 1ongitudinal piece a, and is kept up to its proper position by the slight additional longitudinal piece a.

The several pieces marked A may be made of cast-iron. They inclose the inner ends ot' rectangular cross-pieces. ot' the framing A A2 in the manner represented plainly in Figs. l, 2, 3, 4, 9, and l0. The inclosed cross-pieces are provided with two or more holes, and by removing the bolts G G2 both the side frames, A A2, with their several attachments, may be moved bodily inward or made to approach each other e aan as until a different series of holes in A and A2 coincide with the holes in A and receive the bolts G G2. The transverse reciprocating bar H H H2, which is operated by the hand-lever E, is similarly constructed, so that the inner ends of the side pieces, H H2, may be correspondingly moved and secured within the central part, H. On tightening the nuts on these bolts G G2 in their new positions the entire framing A A A2 and the cross-bar H H H2 are all again made rigid, and the machine is adapted Vagain to operate, but planting in rows nearer together than before.. The reverse operation widens the machine and correspondingly widens the spaces between therows. The transverse reciprocating bar H H H2 carries at each end forks, the form of which is indicated in Figs. l, 2, 5, 6, 7, and 8. The seed is measured eff and transferred from the seedhoppers into the seed-tubes by means of hori' zontal wheels 1' 12, which are shaped as represented, and are adapted to receive the seed in perforations or seed-cups t" t2, and by the rotation of these wheels to carry the contents of the cups under suitable cut-offs, J J2, to deliver into the seed-tubes. The wheels 1 l2 are operated with a positive motion just far enough and no farther ateach movement ofthe handlever E in either direction. The lever E, being pulled by the operator, turns on its fulcrum e and carries the reciprocating bar H H' H2 to the right. This movement gives a partial rotation to both wheels 1 12. 1t effects this by thrusting the forward arm of the fork H against one of the teeth of the wheel 1 and-hy pulling the hook or shoulder on the rear arm ot' the fork H2 against one of the teeth ofthe wheel 12. `The return movement of the hand-lever E moves the bar H H H2 in the opposite direction and gives an equal farther motion to both the seed-wheels l 1.2 by the thrusting of the forward arm of the fork H2 against'a tooth ot' the wheel 12 and by the drawing action of the rearward arm of the fork H, which is provided with a shoulder or hook, K', corresponding to the before-described hook. The wheels 1 and 12 are by these operations turned equally at cach movement of the lever E.

The form given to the teeth or projections on the seed-wheels 1 12 and to the parts of the forks H H2 which come in contact therewith is very important, and requires a very particular explanation. Vhen the movement of the bar H H' H2in either direction is effected rapidly the inertia ofthe wheels 1 12 tends to continue their motion and throw them too far around and cause the wheels to come to rest in a false position. 1 avoid this evil by causing certain obtuse angles or slight projections on the wheels 1 12 tostrike at the proper time and rest fairly against the inner faces ofthe forks H H2. The Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8 indicate the exact forms of these parts half-size.

The wheels 1 12 are about 'a half-inch in thickness at the periphery. r1`he upper half of this thickness is differently formed at the periphery from the corresponding part of the lower half and performs a different function. The lower half presents angles in this part, which are designated L. The corresponding points on the upper half are rounded and are distinguished by the letter l. The form of the inner faces ot the arms of the forks H H2 is also important. At the points on the inner surfaces of the forks H H2, which at the end of each of the sudden movements lie opposite to the slight projections or obtuse angles L, the fork has a perpendicular face extending its full depth,butwhen the succeedingorreturn movement ot'. the bar H H H2 has progressed a little way a recess, h, which is formed, as represented, o'n each inner face of the forks H H2, is presented to the corresponding angle, L. and the angle enters it, thus allowing the wheel to turn freely again in obedience to the impulse which it then commences to receive from the other arm ofthe fork, and thus the operation proceeds with certainty and precision.

1? P2 are castings, which serve as coveringplates or caps for my seed-wheels I 12. The openings therein to present the seed to the seed-wheels extend around nearly the entire working-surfaces of the latter. There is a broad projection extending over that part of the wheel where the seed is delivered to the seed-tubes, and 19'192 are slender arms or agitators cast upon the caps and standing in the positions represented. Each entire cap, with the several projections referred to and the attached cut-off J or J2, is removable on turning thecorrespondingwedge-shaped button, d ord2, and raising the cap on that side, so as to draw it outin the obvious manner. The office of my cut-offs J J2 is to form a yielding or elastic bar to separate the seed in the seed-cups from their companions as the revolution of the seedwheels present them thereto. 1 employ elastic plates of metal for the purpose. There are four seed-cups which are to be thus treated at the same time in each seed-wheel, and 1 provide four corresponding springs or cut-offs arranged as represented by J, Snc., J2, &c.

The seed-tubes C C2 are formed in the wid- I ened rear ends of the runners. M is a fixed partition, standing therein in the position represented, and the vibrating valve or ipper N is correspondingly divided to adapt itself thereto. The upper extremity of each flipper is lurged in opposite directions by the projections l and 2 on the rear arm of the corresponding forked part at each half movement or change of position of the bar H H H2 from one eX- treme position to the other, and performs the same duties as in my former patent, above referred to. The fixed partition Mis made of sheet metal, as represented, and is thin at its upper edge. Each is so placed as to receive the seed from some of the seed-cups t" i2 onits front side andthe seed from others on its rear side. They increase in thickness below, so as to separate the seed in front a considerable distance from the seed in the rear of the partition. A continuation, m, of the partition'below the pivot u is matched into the xed part M, and is nar seed-tube the remainder.

rowed in the transverse direction at the base, as represented in Fig. 7. It is xed on and vibrates with the Hipper N. I thus avoid dividing thelatter at the bottom. The twoquantities of seed may be separated by this means to any distance desired within reasonable limits b y using very capacions seed-tubes and modifying the form of the lower parts of the partitions, as will be obvious to mechanics. I prefer to divide it about two inches, as indicated in the drawings.

Z Z, 85e., are slides, which may be readily adjusted by the attendant. They are adapted each to cover a portion of the top ot' its respective seed-tube, and to prevent the dropping of any seed from one corresponding seed-ci1p,''t2. It will be observed that these slides coincide in position with the four seed-cnps which deliver at the same time, and in practice I have found that with the proportions and arrangement indicated but one grain of corn is ordinarily carried in each seed-cup. The four seedcups in each wheel, which deliver simultaneously, are all arranged in radial series. The several slides Z are adapted to close three in each series and prevent the seed therein from dropping out. I provide a narrower slide, z, adapted to but partially cover the remaining cup in each series, and I provide a transverse slide, O, adapted to lock either or all the slides in either the open or shut position, as desired. It ef'fects this by standing in contact with knobs or projections on the under side of the. latter, as represented. By drawing out all the slides I plant four grains of corn in each hill. If I slide in one of the slides Z, I plant but three grains in each hill. The drawings represent all the slides lforced in, and my machine may by such means be adjusted to plant no corn at all. The narrow slide z is sufficiently wide to stop a grain of corn, and either ot' the slides may be opened or closed with equalA effect in planting corn.

It is sometimes desirable to plant seeds which are considerably smaller than corn. In such case one of my small seed-cups alone may contain a suiiicient quantity, in which casea I close the three slides Z Z Z and leave one, z, open. In somecases-as, for example, in planting broom-corn, sorghum, Stc.-even one entire seed-cup may contain toolarge aquan tityofsuch seed,and itis desirable to be able toretain a part of the contents of a cup and deliver into the I accomplish this by the aid of my narrow slide z, which is only wide enough to close about two-thirds of the corresponding seed-cup. By pushing in or closing all the slides I plant at each motion of the bar H only about halt of the contents of the seedcup, which is partially covered by the narrow slide z. This accomplishes the end very satisfactorily. I can, it' desired, make the slide z longer and capable of more motion and of several adjustments, and make the same of several dili'erent widths at different points or of a uniformly-tapered form one end to the other. I can then by adjusting the slide graduate the opening for the passage of small seeds past such slide, so as to plant more or less at pleasnre; but I do not in practice consider it necessary to do so.

I will now describe the parts by which I operate these wheels automatically and very rapidly when planting in drills.

The distance apart at which the seed may be deposited in the rows or drills by the aid of my invention may be determined with great accuracy, and a variety of distances may be selected. I usually construct the machine so that the seed may be dropped at eitherl ofthe following distances apart: eight and one-half inches, fourteen inches, twenty-one inches, and forty-two inches. The variations in the distances are produced by varying the number of pins, which are arranged in a circular series on the inner face of the wheel B. T are the pins referred to. They are firmly set by screwing them tightly in corresponding holes in a stout metal ring. These holes are distributed so that on reducing the number of pins the remainder may be equally distributed around the entire circle. U is a yoke or slide adapted to reciprocate forward and backward, according as its inclined faces u are alternately acted on by the pins T. Anti-friction wheels are provided to aid in reducing the resistance to its motion. S

V is a bell-crank lever, mounted on a fixed fulcrum, t, and adapted to reciprocate in the horizontal plane, according as the yoke U is operated. The long arm of this lever extends forward, and is adapted to be con nected atpleasure to the seeding apparatus by dropping its extremity into a slot in the part H. In this condition the machine is driven forward, and

the action ot' the pins T induces a vibrating motion of the bell-crank lever V, and colisequently a succession of irciprocations of the seeding devices and corresponding movements of the seed-wheels I l2.

It will of course be observed that if a sufficient quantity of seed is dropped in this manner at proper distances apart the effect will be very nearly equivalent to the planting by hand. The difference is that in this drilling orautomatic planting last described the hills are not arranged in check-rows, and the corn cannot be subsequently cultivated by crossplowing; but by discon necting these parts and operating` by the hand-lever E, instead of by my drilling mechanism, the hills may be checkrowed very accurately.

When planting by the aid of the hand-lever E it is well not only to disconnect the lever V by lifting its forward extremity out of the slot H, but also to prevent the lever V from vibrating at all. I accomplish this bythe aid ofthe slide or sliding lever W. This latter is slotted to receive the lever V, and is adapted to turn slightly as it slides upon the bolt w, which latter is txedin the framework. 0n leaving this sliding leverW at liberty it assumes a position in which it becomes of no effect, but on drawing it forcibly to the leftand thrusting its right extremity under the stop or hook fw', which is fixed on the framing, it holds the lever V in such a position that its inclined faces u u are carried too far farward to be touched, and the pins T traverse freely around without coming in contact with anything. This is the condition represented in the Figs. 1 and 2. X X2 are scrapers mounted on eyes x, so that they are fri-e to turn. Y Y2 are levers connected therewith in the manner represented, and free to turn on the fixed i'ulcra y. The forward ends of these levers are within reach ofthe opera-tor, and by placing his foot on either or on both at once the corresponding scrapers may be pressed with sufficient force against the peripheries of their respective Wheels. On relnovingthe foot the gravity of the parts induces a removal of the scrapers to a little distance, as represented. The levers Y Y2 may be dispensed with, it' desired, by extending the arms X* backward instead of forward from the eyes as and applying the foot or other force direct-1y thereto; but l prefer the arrangement shown.

It will be observed that while my parts A embrace and completely encircle the inner ends ofthe transverse pieces A A2 it is not essential to the tightness of the titting together of the parts that A' A2 shall be exactly equal in size to the interior of the casting A, because the nuts and Washers Which are titted on the bolts G G2 do not hear against the cross parts of the box-casting A, but are let up into large cavities therein, so as to bear directly against the wood A A2 and hold the whole very tirmly.

It will be perceived that by duplicating the partitions M m a separate seed-passa ge or seedtube may be provided from each of the seedcups which deliver simultaneously, so that the contents of each may thereby be separated with certainty and to a xed distance each from the other.

Pawls or springs may be used on the inner faces of the forks H H2, if preferred, in addi-- tion to the devices shown, in order to render the action of the same on the teeth of l l2 more certain; but I have not found such necessary in practice.

It will be observed that by reason of the narrow or partial stop z, adapted to only partially cover the under side ofone ofmy duplicate seed-cups, I ain able to thereby stop the escape ot' corn from that seed-cup as et't'ectually as it" the stop were larger, and to plant a portion only7 of the contents ot' that cup when it becomes -desirable to do so in planting very small seeds.A

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure in this patent, (marked 0,) is as follows:

1n connection with a series of duplicate seedcups and duplicate stops, arranged substantially as above specified, the employment of 1n testimony whereof I have hereunto set4 my name in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

GEO. NV. BROWN.

Witnesses:

S. G. CUMMINGS, THOMAS D. S'rE'rsoN. 

